This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
Facility E/M Levels.
** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.

Q: Are off-campus emergency departments Type A or Type B EDs?
A: Hospitals must determine which areas of on campus and off campus emergency departments (OCED) are Type A and which are Type B based on the definitions of ED facility types. There isn’t a set designation for OCEDs.

Q: Should a “fast track” area of an ED be reported as Type A or Type B? The fast track area is not open 24 hours a day but it is located within an ED that is. What about if the fast track area is used for overflow during busy times?
A: Hospitals can carve out areas of the hospital that are not open and staffed 24 hours a day and report them as a Type B ED visits if all other Type B criteria are met. If the fast track area is used for patient overflow, it would still be considered a Type B ED.

Q: You referred to modifier 25 for use with other procedure codes. This modifier is for a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician or qualified health care professional (QHP) on the same day of the procedure or other service. Isn’t this only applicable to the pro-fee setting?
A: Modifier 25 is a modifier that is approved for both hospital and physician use. Under OPPS, modifier 25 is appended to the E/M code if another CPT code with status indicator S or T is reported on the same claim.

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Kristi Pollard, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer

Director of Coding Quality & Education

Kristi is the Director of Coding Quality & Education with more than 25 years of industry experience; she is responsible for the development of web-based, instructor-led, and webinar training materials; conducting training in ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT; and performing DRG and APC audits. Kristi has an extensive background in coding education and consulting and is a national speaker and published writer on topics related to ICD-10 and CPT coding and code-based reimbursement. She has designed and developed training programs for inpatient and outpatient hospital-based coding, with a focus on vascular interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, orthopedics, and obstetrics.